Off The Needles: Simple Tank

July 30, 2012 in Debbie Bliss, Sweaters

I finished my Simple Tank Top from the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Debbie Bliss Magazine.

Mine was made using Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 Ply yarn, a soft 100% ExtraFine Merino with approximately 198 yards per 50g, in #27-Silver, #22 – Fuschia, and #28 – Tangerine. Those are the colors from the magazine, but I thought they were charming and have been receiving lots of compliments. I think it would also look good with blue and green stripes.

There are enough colors of Rialto 4 ply to make a different top for every day of the week!

Here is a picture of the front:

And here is a picture of the back:

Don’t you love it when your finished sweater actually fits properly?

I made the smallest size, which gives me about 2″ inches of ease.

It’s a good idea to take your measurements regularly so you know for sure which size to make. With all the images we are bombarded with in the media our perception of our bodies might not be in line with reality. By ensuring you’re making the right size to start with you’ll avoid disappointment down the line.

The Craft Yarn Council has a handy guide online that shows you how and where to measure yourself.

Another good idea is to really pay attention to the fit of the clothes you enjoy wearing and try to replicate it in the garments you knit or crochet for yourself. If you like close fitting store bought clothes, then don’t make a big over sized sweater. The opposite is also true. If you like some breathing room, don’t make that sweater that is supposed to be worn with negative ease.

Of course, these principles also apply to the garments you make for other people. If you want the things you make to be worn and used make things you like!

Oh, dear! I’ll get off my soapbox now and get back to my pretty new top. LOL!

What am I going to do with all these ends?

I started the Simple Tank in April and didn’t finish it until mid-July, but the hands-on knitting time wasn’t really that long. I moved house at the beginning of June and the need to pack, move, and unpack threw my knitting off schedule.

And I always drop the ball on the finishing. In fact, I must have dragged my feet for a week when the tank was all knit and it was time to pick up around the arm holes to knit the trim.

I always want quiet and a good hour to work when faced with the prospect of picking up stitches evenly across a section of sweater. I used the trick of dividing the armhole into smaller sections placing stitch markers at the half way point, then dividing the half in half, etc. It is easier to pick up a small number of stitches over a small section than it is to pick up a large number of stitches across a great expanse.

Ta-da! All woven in.

When I realized I would never have a finished project if I kept avoiding it I went to my local yarn store to get in the right mind-set. It was so nice to hang out at the table, picking up stitches, and chatting with the other knitters passing through. (I might have bought a couple new magazines as well!)

Have you noticed that magical effect yarn stores have on your knitting or crocheting? And if you do get stuck there are people around to ask for advice!

You can't even tell from the outside.

The trim around the neck and arms is very simple, but many people have commented on how nice it is.

Once the trim was knit, it was a simple matter of seaming the sides and weaving in the ends. I’m glad I carried the colors up the sides without cutting them. That greatly reduced the number of ends I had to weave in.

I always feel such a sense of accomplishment when I finish a project. And it’s an even better feeling when I wear a new top for the first time and can tell people who compliment it, “Thanks! I made it!”

Tags: magazines, summer, sweater, womens
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On the Needles: Pansies Bolero

June 20, 2012 in Ella Rae, Sweaters, Tips

I started the Bolero from the Ella Rae Pansies book over the weekend and it is moving along quickly as I expected.

The pattern calls for a US 5 needle for the edging and a US 6 for the body, but I got gauge on the US 5. That means that when it is time to work the edging I should probably use a US 4 needle.

Start of my Pansies Bolero

As I mentioned before, Pansies is an unmercerized 100% cotton yarn, but it has a 3-ply construction for strength.

Unlike some cotton yarns that can be a little harsh to knit with because they are stiff, Pansies has just enough “give” that it hasn’t tired out my hands. It is also pleasantly soft as it’s running through my fingers.

It is fun to watch the stripes develop.

I’m enjoying watching the stripes take shape. It’s so nice to be able to work plain stockinette stitch and allow the yarn to do all the hard work of adding visual interest!

The only problem I’ve had so far was when I managed to twist as stitch as I was knitting. That’s what I get for not paying attention to what my hands are doing!

When I make a mistake in my knitting or crocheting I ask myself a few questions before I decide whether to fix it or ignore it.

The first question to ask is, “Does the mistake mess up the pattern?” In a lace or texture stitch a mistake can effect every subsequent row, which probably means repairs are necessary. In stockinette stitch it might be possible the just fudge a different row by increasing or decreasing to get back to the correct stitch count.

The second question to ask is, “How noticeable is the mistake?” If it’s in the middle front of the sweater it might be glaring, in which case I’d probably want to fix it. If it’s on the edge it might get absorbed into the seam or regularly covered by my arm, in which case I might ignore it.

The last, and most important question, is, “Can I live with it?” Some people will drive themselves to distraction trying to make their project “perfect.” Sometimes to the point where they don’t end up finishing because they get so exhausted and annoyed. Other people take the view that humans make mistakes and a slight flaw in a hand knit or crocheted project makes it unique and adds character.

Only you can decide with type of crafter you are. But the important thing to remember is to relax and enjoy the process!

In this case, I knew I wouldn’t be able to live with the mistake (even though it was on the back). Also, it was an easy mistake to fix.

First, insert the crochet hook through the last live stitch

I started my repair by dropping the stitch off the needle that was in line with the twisted stitch.

I then gently manipulated the yarn to drop the stitch down until I reached the offending stitch. Usually dropped stitches are a reason to gnash your teeth, but done in a controlled manner then can be useful.

Then I got my crochet hook and began the process of working the stitches back up.

Use the hook to grab the strand and pull it through the loop.

It’s a simple matter of grabbing the loose strand (or “ladder”) from the next row up and pulling it through the stitch on the crochet hook. When you reach the top row, place the last loop back on the left hand needle, being careful not to twist it.

The still photos give you the general idea. I also made a little video so you can see the process in action.

I hope this gives you confidence to attempt a repair the next time you make a mistake.

Remember, the staff at your local yarn store are always a good resource for repairs. Sometimes all you need is the moral support of other knitters nearby when you attempt a repair.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a Bolero to knit!

Tags: cotton, summer
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Ella Rae Pansies

June 17, 2012 in Ella Rae, Sweaters

Pansies is the name of a new spring book and yarn from Ella Rae.

This 100% Cotton yarn has approximately 93 yards per 50g ball and a suggested knitting gauge of 5.5 sts per inch on a US 6 needle.

It is available in 10 variegated colorways. This is a close up of colorway #4. As you can see, the color has a distressed look with a variety of stripes, flecks, and speckles.

When worked up the yarn has a self-striping effect, but the extra texture in the colors creates a lot of interest.

Pansies is an unmercerized cotton, which means it has a soft, buttery feel with just a hint of surface fuzz. You are probably more accustomed to working with mercerized cottons, which have been treated to add strength and shine. Mercerized cottons have a crisp appearance. Pansies has a more relaxed feel reminiscent of a favorite pair of jeans.

The companion pattern book, #119 Pansies “Floral Fancy”, features six sweater patterns that take advantage of this casual feel.

These sweaters will end up being favorite weekend wear equally nice for hanging out in the backyard with friends or running errands around town.

The Boat-Neck sweater seen above has a relaxed fit and would be suitable for an advanced beginner because of the minimal shaping. Actually, an advanced beginner ready to take the next step from a drop shoulder sweater would probably find this a good project.

The Simple Cardigan lives up to it’s name. The plain stockinette stitch really allows the fun colors to shine.

This is another pattern that would be good for a beginner wanting to tackle his or her first cardigan. At the same time it will be a soothing auto-pilot project for an experienced knitter looking to relax.

For something a little more challenging, you might enjoy the Lacey Cardigan.

The simple eyelet pattern doesn’t interfere with the stripes of the yarn, but will keep your attention while knitting. There is also a pretty Double Diamond Lace edging around the neck line.

The cardigan is closed by a tie at the neck, which means there is no need to worry about working button bands.

The last pattern I want to highlight is the Bolero.

This cropped, short sleeved cardigan looks like a quick knit for an experienced knitter. It might be a little more challenging for a beginner because of the shaping on the fronts, but every pattern should advance our skills!

I think the Bolero will look equally good with a sun dress or jeans. This will be a good coverup for spring and summer.

I plan to make mine in color #8.

You can preview the rest of the book on our website. Which pattern do you like best?

Tags: cotton, summer, womens
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Lace Collars

June 15, 2012 in Cowls, Debbie Bliss, Mirasol, Noro

We don’t like to put away our knitting needles and crochet hooks just because warmer weather has arrived.

Sure, we might spend time outside gardening or pursuing other activities that can’t be combined with stitching, but at some point during the day it will be time to sit down and relax with our yarn.

When that time comes, we tend to want to work on small projects. Who wants to spread a big afghan across their lap in 80 or 90 degree weather?

While socks, mitts, and hats are all good options, it’s nice to mix things up a little.

Several of the spring/summer pattern books have little lace collars that will be great projects for this time of year. They are small, portable, and often take just one skein of the required yarn.

These collars are knit or crocheted jewelry. They can be worn as accents to dress up a plain blouse or to give an outfit a different look.

Debbie Bliss

Knit Lace Collar by Debbie Bliss

Debbie Bliss has three collars featuring her new Rialto Lace yarn.

This yummy new yarn is 100% Extrafine Merino Wool with approximately 429 yards per 50g that knits to 8 sts per inch on a US 2 needle. It is available in 20 colors.

Just because the suggested needle is a US 2 doesn’t mean that is the size you have to use. For instance, this knit Lace Collar from the “Rialto Lace” book is worked on a US4 needle.

The Rialto Lace book features eight patterns ranging from the Lace Collar to cardigans and shawls.

Debbie has also designed two crocheted lace collars using Rialto Lace yarn.

Daisy Crocheted Collar by Debbie Bliss

The Daisy collar echoes the design in the knit lace collar. The airy, square motifs with a scalloped edge is sure to crochet up quickly.

Chantal Crocheted Collar by Debbie Bliss

The Chantal collar is more dramatic. I love the pleats on this one. It will definitely dress up a plain shell!

Both crocheted collars are in the “Simply Crochet” book, which includes a range of patterns from sweaters and skirts to a bag.

Noro

Jane Ellison designed two version of the Joyce collar for the Noro Vintage book.

Joyce by Jane Ellison

The first, large version is dramatic! It lays nice and flat on your shoulders. This size will be good for a little extra warmth when you don’t feel like dealing with a big shawl or shrug.

It is knit using one hank of Karuta, a 40% Silk, 30% Cotton, 30% Wool blend with approximately 165 yards per 100g. There are eight tonal colorways from which to select.

Joyce (small) by Jane Ellison

The smaller version also takes one hank of Karuta. This is more of a choker or cowl style. The snug fit makes the small one more all-weather since you’ll be able to wear it under winter coats as well.

For both version you’ll have fun finding a fabulous button to finish it off.

Mirasol

The last pattern I want to highlight is more of a cowl than a collar and it’s not actually lace, but I think the construction is so interesting that I have to include it.

I also think it falls into the “knitting as jewelry” category, which qualifies it for this blog post.

Raya Cowl by Jane Ellison

The Raya Cowl, which is a free pattern on our website, is cabled AND braided.

How neat is that?

You start by casting on all the stitches, then work the three strands separately. Don’t worry, the pattern is very clear so it won’t be terribly complicated to knit.

This pattern is knit using one hank of Hap’i yarn, a 100% Pima Cotton with approximately 132 yards per 100g. It is available in 24 colors.

I think any of these patterns would be a good place to start if you want to get a jump on your gift knitting.

You can find the pattern books and yarns at your local yarn store.

What types of projects do you like to work on in the spring and summer?

Tags: crochet, lace, summer, womens
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Beach Cover Ups

May 23, 2012 in Araucania, Ella Rae, Elsebeth Lavold, Katia, Noro

This morning on Facebook one of my friends linked to an article in New York Magazine about “beach sweaters,” which it described as loose knit sweaters to use as a cover up.

The article was accompanied by photos of store bought sweaters ranging from $275 to $1,800. Although, to be fair, there was one for $75 as well. There was also a little slide show of “real” women (not models) they stopped on the street wearing similar styles.

It made me think how lucky we are to be knitters and crocheters. We have the ability to make ourselves similar garments that will be much more flattering because they will be in a style we prefer, sized to our bodies, and in a color we can select from the wide rang available at our yarn store rather than was it on the department store rack.

Knitting and crocheting also gives you more control over the fiber content, as well.

And we all know that unless you’re knitting a long coat out of cashmere or qiviut, you won’t be spending anywhere near $1,000.

I took a little stroll through our books and came up with some patterns that will work at the beach, pool, or on a picnic. Take a peak, then head to your local yarn store to gather supplies.

Katia

The spring and summer books from this Spanish brand offer a wealth of airy tops that fit the bill.

This Batwing Top (which is actually a poncho, but I have to stick with the official pattern name) is a free pattern on our website. (The English directions are on the second page of the PDF.)

It would be a quick knit on US10.5 needles. This project is knit in simple stockinette stitch, allowing the textured yarn to do all the work for you.

The sample is shown in three colors of Temis, a 55% Cotton, 40% Acrylic, 5% Nylon blend with approximately 137 yards per 50g, available in 13 colors. Make yours in stripes, as shown, or a solid color.

This beautiful crocheted top is another free pattern on our website. The pattern stitch isn’t difficult, but you’ll need strong pattern reading skills for this one as it relies heavily on a chart. (The chart is on the second page and the English directions are on the third page.)

This top is crocheted using an H hook and Alabama yarn. This 50% Cotton, 50% Acrylic blend with approximately 115 yards per 50g comes in 25 colors ranging from neutrals to rich primaries.

This cute cardigan from the Sport #69 book is crocheted using Gemini, a 100% Cotton yarn with approximatley 77 yards per 50g.

Gemini has a mesh texture, which give you a lot of flexibility when knitting or crocheting with it. You can either work with it as you would a traditional yarn, or open the mesh up to create frills, or switch back and forth. There is a video on the Katia website demonstrating the different options.

This last top is reminiscent of the Alexander Wang top the lady on the fifth slide in the New York Magazine article bought at Barney’s. It takes just two balls of Malindi, so you know you’ll be spending less than she probably did!

The pattern is in the Elegance #70 book. Malindi is a 100% Acrylic yarn with approximately 22 yards per 100g that comes in eight colors. You can watch a video showing how to knit with this interesting yarn on the Katia website.

Elsebeth Lavold

You might think of Elsebeth Lavold primarily in terms of warm, cabled garments, but she does have a number of books for spring and summer.

The Mint top from The Sugar and Spice Collection is fun because it converts from a mesh tank top to a string bag. Talk about a multipurpose project.

Mint is knit using Hempathy, a 41% Cotton, 34% Hemp, 25% Modal blend with approximately 154 yards per 50g. This popular yarn has six new colors this season, bringing your choices up to 28.

For the more modest, consider the Glenda tunic from The Lazy Day Collection. With simple shaping and an asymmetrical hemline, this garment will be flattering on a variety of figures.

Glenda is knit using ViSilk, a 90% Viscose, 10% Silk blend with approximately 132 yards per 50g. There are six new colors of ViSilk this season, giving you 26 from which to select.

Louisa Harding, Noro, Ella Rae, and Araucania

With a name like Beachcomber Bay, it’s not surprising this Louisa Harding book has some good options. The Mussel top features drop stitches that allow your bathing suit to peak out while they offer ventilation.

The Long Sleeveless Wrap from Ella Rae’s Family Postcards book is a more modest option that will make a good transition garment in the fall as well.

The Lace Top from Noro Volume 31 features a drawstring belt to cinch the waist. It is knit using Karuta, a yummy 40% Silk, 30% Cotton, 30% Wool blend yarn with approximatley 165 yards per 100g, available in eight colors.

Last, but not least, is the beautiful Lacey Edged Jacket from Araucania. This amazing garment features both knitting (the body) and crocheting (the edging) for the bi-stitchual crafter.

It is made using Nature Cotton, a 100% Cotton with approximately 106 yards per 100g. This is a smoothie bulky yarn, thin/thick spinning, with soft texture and high quality. Great for fast projects, this 100% cotton yarn gives even more beautiful options for your creations. Six new colors have been added this season.

There are many more patterns on our website that can be worn as coverups depending on the look you are seeking. I hope the ones I’ve highlighted get your creative juices flowing. Stop by your local yarn store for even more inspiration.

Remember, your knitting and crocheting skills allow you to be in style and still stay unique.

Share a picture of your finished beach cover up on our Facebook page. We love to see the projects you make with our yarns.

Tags: summer, sweater, womens
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On the Needles: Debbie Bliss Simple Tank

May 15, 2012 in Debbie Bliss, Sweaters

The Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Debbie Bliss Magazine came out back in February.

After studying it carefully, I decided that the pattern with which I was most enchanted was the Simple Tank.

Will I have to get orange pants?

Although knit in stockinette stitch, the striping would keep it from getting boring. There is gentle shaping on the sides to keep it flattering. And the relatively small size of the project meant I might actually finish it in time to wear it this summer.

What is it about tank tops that make them seem like a “small project”? The only difference between them and a regular sweater is a lack of sleeves. On the other hand, I heard that two long sleeves roughly equal the back of the sweater in yarn consumption, so I guess a tank top really is smaller.

The tank top is knit using Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 Ply yarn, a yummy 100% ExtraFine Merino with approximately 198 yards per 50g ball. It is available in 27 colors, but I decided to take the path of least resistance and go with the colors used in the magazine.

I went with the colors in the magazine.

Perhaps that is unimaginative considering one of the fun things about knitting and crocheting is the ability to make a project unique just by changing the colors we use. However, these colors are a real change of pace for me. I tend more toward red, blue, and primary colors. But the tangerine and fuschia in the magazine sample are so bright and happy I decided to go for it.

Besides, it will be very stylish since the tangerine reflects the “Color of the Year.”

The first thing I did, of course, was swatch on the suggested needle size of US3. Instead of the required 7 sts/inch I was getting 6.5 sts/inch.

Now, you might think that’s close enough. What’s half a stitch between friends? But multiplied across an entire sweater those half stitches add up. If I’d followed the pattern with my 6.5 sts per inch the back of my sweater would have been 18 inches wide instead of the 16.5 inches my size should be.

I would have ended up with a much bigger tank top than I wanted. Rather than risk ending up with a finished top I can’t wear I went ahead and swatched with US2 needles. Gauge was mine!

You see what I did there, right? I wanted to get MORE stitches per inch so I went DOWN a needle size. (If I had wanted FEWER stitches per inch I would have gone UP.)

Some of you might be feeling a little light headed at the thought of knitting a top on US2 needles. Small needles don’t scare me. Besides, it’s just a little tank top, how long could it take to knit? And would you really want a summer top out of worsted weight wool?

Carry On

The top has been zipping along. I cast on April 24 and finished the back last night, which is pretty good considering I’m on US2 needles and lost at least four days of knitting time to a mysterious hand injury/strain.

To save my sanity later on, I decided to carry the yarns up the side rather than clipping them every time I changed colors.

Goodness, if the thought of US2 needles didn’t make you lightheaded the idea of weaving in all those little ends should!

Oh no! Where'd my row go?

When carrying colors in this fashion you want to consider how wide your stripes are. If they are too wide you’ll have really long floats, which might not make it worth it.

You should also remember to twist the yarn occasionally by picking the new yarn up from underneath the old yarn. This will trap the floats and help keep things neater.

Another thing to watch out for is the risk of pulling the color too tightly the next time it comes into use. That is what happened to the tangerine yarn in the above picture. I knit the row properly, but somewhere along the line the yarn was yanked so hard it sucked the slack out of first few stitches.

Now that I think about it, there was one time when I got tangled in the yarn when I stood up from the couch and dragged the tangerine ball across the room.

A more likely result of short floats is the fabric puckering along the side edge. To avoid that, and ensure the floats are a good length, I like to pull the fabric downward after I knit the first stitch in the new color.

Because of that habit I noticed the problem of the missing tangerine stitches as soon as that color came around again.

Happily, it was easy to fix. I simply started at the edge stitch and used a double pointed needle to tease out the tight stitches. I pulled the first leg of the edge stitch to get a big loop of yarn and then worked that slack across to the first normal stitch. I did have to fiddle with the stitches in question a bit to get them back to the correct gauge, but it just took some patience.

Ta-da! All better

In fact, I think it would be hard to tell there was ever a problem.

What tips do you have for knitting stripes?

Halfway Done

The rest of the knitting has been uneventful. Which is sometimes all we ask of our projects, isn’t it?

The only other near brush with disaster I had was after I finished the armhole shaping, got mesmerized by the striping sequence, and almost forgot to measure my length to the neck shaping.

Luckily, I was still two inches short of the target length when it occurred to me to measure. Phew! I would not have wanted to rip back because I knit it too long.

We have a back!

There it is in all it’s glory.

Are you wondering about the stitch markers?

Well, since the stripe sequence is so regular I haven’t been using a row counter for this project. I can just look at or count the stripes to track my progress. However, there are key points I wanted to highlight without constant counting.

Starting at the bottom: the first marker is the row on which the decreases stop. The second one is the row on which the increases start. The third one is where the increases end. And the fourth one (the blue flower) is the row on which I started the armhole shaping.

You know how patterns some times direct you to measure from where the armhole starts and that’s always hard to figure out? Save yourself some hassle by placing a marker in the middle of the row on that first cast off row. It’s important to put it in the middle of the garment because then you (probably) won’t have any shaping interfering with your ability to measure accurately.

For the record, it wasn’t an issue on this pattern because it instructs you measure from the cast on row. I decided to leave the marker in anyway.

I cast on the front last night and am already a few rows into the decrease section. If I keep this pace up I’ll be finished my new top just in time for the warm weather!

Are you making a project from this issue of Debbie Bliss Magazine? Share a picture with us on Facebook. I’d love to see your project.

Tags: magazines, summer, womens
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